Letter: Push for more acceptance in the Catholic church

Illinois will no longer be discriminating against any couples that wish to be married. That's a good thing. While our local religious leaders have every right to express their feelings on that decision, we can look to their religious leaders as well: the Vatican ambassador to the U.S., addressing American bishops, said Monday...

Illinois will no longer be discriminating against any couples that wish to be married. That's a good thing. While our local religious leaders have every right to express their feelings on that decision, we can look to their religious leaders as well: the Vatican ambassador to the U.S., addressing American bishops, said Monday they should not "follow a particular ideology" and should make Roman Catholics feel more welcome in church.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano noted the challenges from broader society to Christian teaching. "The Holy Father wants bishops in tune with their people," Vigano said, noting that he visited the pope in June. "He made a special point of saying that he wants pastoral bishops, not bishops who profess or follow a particular ideology."

In a September interview, Pope Francis said Catholic leaders should give greater emphasis to compassion and mercy, arguing the church's focus on abortion, marriage and contraception has been too narrow and alienating. Church and State are separate in part to allow Citizens space to exist between them. People may find something immoral, but that doesn't mean it has to be illegal. Let's focus on poverty, together.